Other recipients
of the 40 Heroes Award include Volker
Beck, a member of the German Bundestag who has been a preeminent
European leader in GLBT civil rights; Bishop Gene Robinson; Congressman
Barney Frank; MTV; Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National
Center for Lesbian Rights; and others.
Bourassa and
Varnell will receive a 40 Heroes Award on a large stage in front
of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the site where the first
annual and organized gay and lesbian rights demonstration took place
on July 4, 1965. These pre-Stonewall protests from 1965 to 1969
launched the international Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Movement.
The Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission will unveil a Historical Marker
designating the area as the birthplace of the GLBT Movement It is
believed to be only the second official marker designating a site
significant to GLBT Civil Rights.
Equality Forum
2005 & National Celebration (April 25 to May 1) features over 100
programs, including 14 parties and 40 special events. More than
105 state, regional, national and international non-profit organizations
and 30 national and international GLBT Executive Directors will
be participating. Thirty (30) states, D.C. and Puerto Rico will
hold State Receptions on Saturday, April 30.
The 16-hour
National Celebration on Independence Mall includes the Gay Pioneers
& 40 Heroes Tribute, the SundayOUT street festival, screenings of
the documentary Gay Pioneers, an Interfaith Service with Bishop
Gene Robinson at historic Christ Church, a Gay Icons Pavilion at
the Independence Visitors Center, Conversations with Gay Leaders
at the National Constitution Center, a National Celebration Concert
with Cyndi Lauper, celebrities, and parties.
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Queer
as Folk star
Robert Gant is MC at
40 Heroes Tribute
Robert
Gant, an out cast member of Queer as Folk, has been named Master
of Ceremonies for the Gay Pioneers & 40 Heroes Tribute at the
National Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the GLBT Civil
Rights Movement. The Tribute is on Sunday, May 1 in front of Independence
Hall and the Liberty Bell.

"Robert
Gant is a committed activist. He has lent his name and prestige
to many important causes in our community," said Malcolm Lazin,
Executive Director of Equality Forum. "We are delighted to welcome
him as Master of Ceremonies for our version of the Gay Icon Academy
Awards," Lazin said.
"I am honored to host the Gay Pioneers & 40 Heroes Tribute at
the National Celebration," Gant said. "This historic event will
be remembered like the 1963 demonstration at the Lincoln Memorial.
I am thrilled to appear on stage in front of Independence Hall
and the Liberty Bell, where the movement started 40 years ago."
Gant
joins Cyndi Lauper, who will perform at the National Celebration
Concert, and Kate Clinton, who will participate in the Gay Pioneers
& 40 Heroes Tribute
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